DEREGULATING STEAM TARIFFS, ANTIMONOPOLY CONTROL AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY ACCESS RULES WERE DISCUSSED AT THE TARIFF REGULATION WORKSHOP

FAS representatives gave explanations to market participants in view of the latest legislative changes

On 1 January 2019 new provisions of the heating supply law come into effect that deregulate tariffs for such type of heat carrier as steam.

“In view of it, FAS sent a letter to regional authorities and antimonopoly bodies that deregulating steam tariffs starts antimonopoly control over prices set by resource suppliers for consumer payments for the goods, prices for which used to be regulated.  If prices are economically unjustified, FAS can suspect elements of violating the antimonopoly law” informed Deputy Head of FAS Department for Regulating the Housing-and-Utility Sector, Elena Tsyshevskaya.

She pointed out that FAS performs ongoing monitoring.

Elena Tsyshevskaya specially explained new provisions of the rules for non-discriminatory access in the heating supply segment. They simplify the current procedure for connecting to heating supply systems, increase openness and transparency of connection payments, regulate relations with adjacent entities.
 
To eliminate legal gaps and simplify the enforcement practice, the concepts of the connecting point and the point of attaching capital construction facilities to the heating supply system.

The new provisions also allow the regulators to review the fee for connection to the heating systems, set on a case-by-case basis, if the connected load or connection points change.

“Therefore, due to new regulations, the market participants will be able to overcome problems emerging in the course of connecting to the heating supply systems, such as long period of waiting for technological connection, absence of guarantees for the result, excessive documentary requirements, etc.”, concludedElena Tsyshevskaya.